Obituary
Denise A. Rapanaro (Perna), 79, of Hammonton, went home to be with the Lord on Sunday, February 12, 2023 after a battle with lung cancer. She passed away peacefully with her family by her side while listening to the song, “’Tis So Sweet to Trust in Jesus.”
A graduate of Hammonton High School (class of 1961), Denise held many hats throughout her life, including working as a medical technical assistant, a medical secretary, a lab assistant, a real estate agent, and a hairdresser at Alice’s Beauty Salon (owned by her mother) in Hammonton. Most notably, she served as the primary caregiver for her mother until her passing in 2007.
From the Dollar Tree employees, to her mechanic, to her family, everyone knew Denise as a kind-hearted woman. Denise enjoyed capturing moments with photos; making Pizzelles during the holidays for family and friends; making daily trips to ShopRite, Goodwill, and the Dollar Tree; visiting or calling family every day; and sending cards to loved ones on all occasions to let them know she was thinking of them.
Denise was predeceased by her parents, Thomas and Alice (nee DeLosso) Perna and former husband Mario Rapanaro. She is survived by her five siblings, Shirley Passalacqua, Patricia Petersen (Ken), Alice Boyd, Beverly Quinn (Pat), and Thomas Perna, Jr.; many nieces and nephews, whom she loved as if they were her own children; cousins; and friends.
A celebration of life memorial service will be held at Victory Bible Church in Hammonton, N.J. on Thursday, February 16, at 11 a.m. Burial will follow at Oak Grove Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to The Samaritan Center at Voorhees.